Here's why players are criticising Wimbledon courts

July 08, 2017 16:19 IST

IMAGE: Ana Konjuh of Croatia slips during the Ladies Singles third round match against Dominika Cibulkoba of Slovakia on day five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

World No 1 Andy Murray has criticised the state of 2017 Wimbledon's grass courts, thus joining the list of players who have expressed unhappiness over the same.

The defending champion said the courts are not the same as they used to be in the past are not in good condition.

"The court I don't think is in as good of condition as previous years," Murray was quoted as saying by Sport24 after beating Italy's Fabio Fognini 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 on Centre Court on Friday to enter last 16.

"There's quite a few spots on the court, like just behind the baseline and just in front of the baseline, where there's quite big lumps of grass, sort of almost like little divots there, which I don't remember really being the case," he added.

However, the Wimbledon officials on Friday dismissed concerns over the state of the courts, saying, "The court preparation has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years."

"Grass is a natural surface and it is usual for the baselines to start to be showing signs of wear and tear four days into the championships," the All England Club said in a statement.